Island Rab

It is made of contrasts with sharp rock cliffs on the east coast and gentle pebbly beaches, high places on the mountain massif that is covered with macchia and forests of Mediterranean oak. The largest town and port is Rab, and the island has a few more idyllic, coastal villages: Lopar, Mundanije, Supetarska Draga, Kampor, Barbat and Banjol.

Rab is an island of culture, from antiquity to the present day, beautiful scenery, long and pleasant walks. The Romans called it Happy Rab - Felix Arba, and they knew how to enjoy and recognize the benefits of a place. Tourists can enjoy looking at the historical heritage of the ancient town of Rab (Trg Sv. Kristofor), visit a traditional event such as the Rab Fair, the Knights' Tournament held by the Association of Rab crossbowmen and other colourful events. And when they get tired of sightseeing, then visitors can happily treat their taste buds with a famous delicacy from the island - Rab cake that in ancient times Pope Alexander III tried.

The beaches, coves, greenery and scents create an atmosphere for relaxation and enjoyment, and the developed tourist infrastructure makes it one of the most visited islands in the Adriatic.

Rab: population 592

RAB, a town and port on the western coast of the island bearing the same name. Situated on an elongated peninsula between the Cove of St. Fumia and the port of Rab, where a compact Mediterranean settlement was built. Chief occupation is tourism, yachting tourism in particular. The tourist complex Padova III with a campsite is located on the eastern coast of the town port. Situated on the main road (M29) connecting Rab with the ferry ports in Lopar and Misnjak.

Tourism in the town of Rab has a history of a hundred years. The Komrcar Park in the town, from the end of the 1890s, the public beach and the almost 100-year-old hotel Imperial in the center bear witness to the long tradition in tourist trade. Except in the town proper, the nearby Kalifronta peninsula, which can be reached by a speedboat or a tourist taxi boat (provided by the local inhabitants), also offers excellent bathing opportunities. Due to the favourable climate and the beautiful, preserved historical scenery, the tourist season commences already in the early spring, and ceases with the late autumn. Today Rab offers a variety of accommodation facilities (hotels, bungalows, apartments, marina), as well as various sports and recreation opportunities (tennis courts, boccia and bowling alleys, miniature golf, underwater fishing, water skiing). Numerous restaurants offer local specialties (crabs, mussels, fish), while summer terraces and night clubs provide entertainment programs. The luxuriant island vegetation invites for a walk.

Middle Street offers a special tourist and cultural atmosphere with its street painters in summer, when the whole center of the town turns into a huge gallery, and the Rab Cultural Events in the Knezev dvor Gallery represent another important event. The Rab Musical Evenings, organized in the church of the Holy Cross (June to August), offer concerts performed by Croatian and international musicians. The most attractive summer event in Rab is the Rab Tournament (reintroduced in 1995), which used to take place as early as 1364, commemorating the defense of the town by the knights in the past. A special attraction of this picturesque mediaeval ceremony is the ancient crossbow, which is used at the tournaments only by the arbalists from San Marino. The tournament takes place twice a year (9th of May and 27th of July).

Rab ACI Marina has 150 berths in the sea for yachts drawing up to 6 m and up to 18 m in length. The coast can accommodate only yachts in the need of repair.

Lopar; population 1.215

LOPAR, a town in the northwestern part of the island of Rab, 6 km north of Supetarska Draga. On the peninsula of the same name, northwest of the isthmus, there is the Lopar Bay, and to the south-east lies the Crnika Bay. Chief occupations include farming, livestock breeding, fishing and tourism. An around 1,500-m long sand beach with groves of pine. Situated at the local road connecting Lopar with the main road running through the island of Rab. Lopar has a ferry connection with Rab, Senj as well as with Baska on the island of Krk.

The town was named after the small church of St. Mary (sta Maria Neopari), mentioned already in the 16th century. The site Punta Zidine (Cape Zidine) still contains the remains of an antique fortification system. According to the legend, the founder of the Republic of San Marino, the sculptor Marin, was born here.

Lopar is the most isolated place on the island of Rab, enclosed by 22 sand beaches. The sea is shallow, and the thick forest and the shade it offers are particularly suitable for those who come here on holiday with small children. At the popular Heavenly Beach (Rajska Plaza), in a total length of 1.5 km, there is a campsite and a complex of hotels, offering entertainment, recreational and sports facilities (tennis, basketball, football); fishing excursions, walks in the preserved nature. The north-eastern part, which offers a nice view on the islands Goli Otok and Sv. Juraj, is characterized by many cliffs.